unforgettably
unforgettably
UK[ˌʌnfəˈɡetəbli]US[ˌʌnfərˈɡetəbli]
adv
in a way that is impossible to forget; in a very memorable manner
Morpheme Breakdown
un
forget
ably
un
not
forget
fail to remember
ably
in a manner of
Etymology
the word "unforgettably" is built upon the core germanic verb "forget," which itself combines the intensive prefix "for-" with "gietan" (to get), suggesting a strong sense of losing hold of something in the mind. the negative prefix "un-" is added to create the adjective "unforgettable," meaning "not able to be forgotten." finally, the adverbial suffix "-ably," derived from the latin "-abilis" (capable of) via french and combined with the english "-ly," transforms it into an adverb describing the manner of being memorable. thus, the word's construction logically progresses from the concept of losing memory, to negating that loss, and finally to describing the capable quality of that negation in an adverbial form.
Analysis
Structure: un (not) + forget (fail to remember) + ably (in a manner of)
- un: a prefix of germanic origin, meaning "not," used to form negatives.
- forget: a verb of old english origin (forgietan), meaning "to lose remembrance of."
- ably: an adverbial suffix of latin origin (via french -able + -ly), meaning "in a manner that can be [verb]-ed."
Examples
she sang the final aria unforgettably, leaving the entire audience in tears.
the view from the mountain peak was unforgettably beautiful.
he recounted the story of his adventure unforgettably, with great humor and vivid detail.